Morton Musings: Rockford doesn’t agree with you, Morton

One by one, communities and counties throughout Illinois are struggling with the decision of whether or not to allow legal video gambling machines within their borders.

The state legalized the machines last summer and plans to use revenues to partially fund its capital construction program.

The Morton Village Board took a bold step last month when it voted unanimously to ban video gambling in the village, potentially hurting the bottom lines of village bar owners and fraternal organizations that won’t be able to have the machines on their premises.

No other central Illinois community or county has joined Morton in its opt out decision.

The Rockford City Council debated the issue Monday in front of an overflow crowd at city hall and voted 8-5 to allow video gambling.

Communities and counties that allow video gambling will receive funds from the machines. According to a report by Rockford television station WREX, aldermen there suggested using the city’s take from the machines for capital investments like police cars, ambulances and fire trucks, and to fund addiction counseling.

The video gambling debate will roar on for several more months because the act won’t go into effect into the Illinois Gaming Board sets up its regulations. A community that opts in can opt out later, or vice versa.